Xavier swim team returns to action

At the Zippy Invitational at the University of Akron the first weekend of December, the Xavier men's swimming team placed third, and the women's finished eighth. Freshman Kiernan McGeehan finished second in the men's 1650 freestyle with a time of 16:06.15. Will Oswald came in fourth in the same event at 16:14.17. In the men's 200 butterfly, it was Senior Michael Zennedjian in second at 1:50.63. Sophomore Chad Thompson placed fourth in the men's 200 backstroke with a time of 1:51.7.

For the women, the team of Jaquelyn Misanik, Anne Frigo, Courtney Shields and Carolyn Stewart placed seventh in the 4x100 relay. Samantha Sloand was the third place finisher in the women's 200 backstroke at 2:03.14.

After a rough start, the teams seem to be doing well. Both teams fell to Louisville at Louisville in the season opener. The men were able to win against the University of Cincinnati, although the women fell again.

Both teams came up short against Miami (Ohio) and the women lost again as they faced Marshall University. In the home opener, both teams won against Wheeling Jesuit and since have been doing much better.

At the House of Champions meet in Indianapolis in November, the Musketeer men placed first and the women in second. Both teams then had a strong showing at the Zippy Invitational in Akron.

The teams have several more meets before the Atlantic 10 Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. at the end of February.

Last season the women started with a win over Marshall University, but both teams lost to Miami. At Cincinnati, the men bested the Bearcats, but the women fell short.

Both teams lost to Western Kentucky University. At the Butler Invitational, the men placed first and the women in second. However, both teams followed with a loss to Eastern Michigan.

At the Zippy Invitational, the men placed second and the women in seventh. At home against Wright State, the men were able to get the win, but the women were not, and then lost again at home against Ohio University in the regular season finale. In the A-10 Championships, the men finished in fifth and the women in ninth.

The Musketeers host Eastern Michigan on Jan. 13.